Assembling Harbor Freight 1720lb trailer

[Clay45]

I've purchased and assembled 3 of the HF trailers including the same one the OP did. Don't know that I saved any money over getting a different assembled trailer but I was able to set them up like I wanted them. Only one saw highway use but it was great; tracked straight and didn't hop around.

 

[Btown]

The HF 1090 lb. Capacity 40-1/2" x 48" trailer I have is 5 years old. It's been used for everything from spraying to hauling firewood. Don't use it on the road so never installed the lights. <img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/files/build-yourself/447608-assembling-harbor-freight-1720lb-trailer-856spa-jpg"/> http://www.harborfreight.com - 1090 lb capacity 40-12 half inch x 48 inch mini utility trailer with 12 inch four lug wheels and tires

Nice Honda Big Red. What year is it. Looks in good shape.

 

[dirt ditch]

Thanks, It's a 1984 model. This Big Red had the plastic fuel tank when I got it. The old Honda runs very well.

View attachment 447687

 

[California]

I've had good service from the 40" x 48" version with 8" tires. I bought the first one to be a jeep trailer for camping gear.

A couple of tips:

California required a vehicle inspection to get plates.

Maximum rated tire pressure is far too much. A tire pressure chart says 28 psi is sufficient for the light loads I carry in it. (from memory I think 28 psi allows 600 lb load). Inflated to the limit shown on the sidewalls, it bounces too much.

Just put a 2" hitch on these and be compatible with the rest of the world to avoid future hassles. I put refrigerator rollers along the back of the chassis, to stand it on end and move it around.

I used 3/8 plywood for the walls to keep the weight down. One sheet did the whole trailer. Something like 23" walls on the sides and 25" front and rear extending down over the chassis. With this wall height and 8" tires its easy to reach over all sides into the trailer. (Photo)


So I bought a second one, when I needed to build a watering trailer. This one had been abandoned out in a pasture for a few years but was worth the $30 I paid for it. (Photo). the only thing it needed was to free up the rusted-solid wheel bearings. They are noisy but sufficient for offroad use.

With water tank this one weighs 2600 lbs loaded. Nothing has broken (aside from bending the tongue, backing uphill) - not even the old tires with that gross overload. I ran two years like that before I found 12" automotive tires to improve flotation over rough ground. (photo, watering on a side slope in the orchard).

Summary - HF's kit trailers are ok. Not recommended to use them near/beyond rated capacity.

 

[dfkrug]

I confirmed at the store: the bearings are packed in a lubricant to prevent corrosion only. The instructions are
very clear you should remove the preservative and pack with bearing grease.

Interesting that is says that in the instructions. Most folks do not know that. You should post a photo
of that page. Does it say anything about properly torquing the axle nut?

HF basicly sells 4 cargo trailers, 2 40"x48s, and 2 4'x8s. The cheapest have only 8" wheels; the others
are all 12". The "super-duty" is the best, with 5-lug wheels and a GVWR of 1720#. The lighter 4x8
is only 1200# GVWR.

I had an early Long Shih 40"x48" with 8" wheels, and it worked OK, but the it pre-dated the newer
red powder-coat finish.

If you buy one of these, make sure you check out some Youtube videos on the assembly. It takes a
long time, and there are some issues in addition to the bearings.

 

[Garandman]

The 1720 lb model has a 2" receiver. The manual is online: http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manuals/69000-69999/69897.pdf

The instructions to clean and repack the bearings are on page 9. Many of the reviewers on their website mention this as well.

Using a suitable solvent, thoroughly clean the bearings and the rest of the parts in the Hub Assembly of all grease, dirt, metal shavings, or any other foreign object. The parts must be cleaned even if they are new or appear clean.

Just about done now with about 4 1/2 hours, all in 15-30 segments. I spend last night drilling holes for a bunch of D ring anchors on the sides of the frame to hold stuff down. This morning I'll mount the plywood and be done.

 

[Garandman]

Got rolling this morning and finished it as I have a snowmobile to move.

First, finished mounting 10 D ring anchors for tie down.

Checked all the wiring before I mounted the plywood. Put the plywood down and whacked it at each bolt to make a witness. Then counter bored a 1" hole with a bit at each to accommodate the raised bolt heads.

For the bolt holes I made a simple drilling template to locate each hole from the edge. Worked well. Bolted down the plywood with 3/8x 1 1/2 carriage bolts.

Previously painted the plywood with Rustoleum rubberized paint. If I had it to do over I would roll on Berliner.

Finished trailer, cleaned up the wiring at the front and I'm ready to roll.

 

[California]

Previously painted the plywood with Rustoleum rubberized paint. If I had it to do over I would roll on Berliner.

Looks great!

I just learned something from your descriptions: Berliner on the floor sounds like a great idea.

And I like that front D-ring. I didn't initially recognize the importance to tie down the front center of a tarp, to prevent flapping. So I frayed a couple of tarps before I added front and rear center tiedowns.


Well done!

 

[Garandman]

Four down each side, one front and rear.

Just towed it 110 miles, checked the hubs a couple times - cool.

Project total:

Trailer $279 (on sale and 20% off coupon)
Plywood $28
Paint $44
D Rings $12
Misc hardware $9

Total: $372. Well worth it in my opinion.

 

[Garandman]

Update. The powder coating lifted and got a lot of corrosion. Once I got a van, didn’t need it anymore, repainted it and sold.

Needed something to bring the snowmobile to the dealer so bought a 5’x8’ aluminum kit.

5’x8’ Aluminum Trailer Kit

Built two Harbor Freight 4x8 “Heavy Duty” trailer kits a few years ago. Made some minor upgrades and it was a handy unit. Sold it for more than paid when I got another cargo van, second went to a relative. Needed something to occasionally tow my snowmobiles. sick of fighting rust so purchased...

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